Insulin level and insulin sensitivity indices among healthy children and adolescents.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Information on insulin reference values and insulin sensitivity indices in the field of pediatrics is scarce.

OBJECTIVE:

To describe insulin range and insulin sensitivity surrogate indices during childhood.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Fasting insulin level range and surrogate indices, such as the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), among healthy children and adolescents by age, body mass index, pubertal stage (PS), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), total cholesterol, and triglycerides.

RESULTS:

Two hundred and twenty-six healthy children and adolescents (1-18 years old) were included. Insulin increased with age, body mass index, pubertal stage, IGF-1 and triglyceride levels (r2= 0.38, p 〈 0.0001). Prepubertal children 〉 7.5 years old had higher insulin levels [median (P3 and P97) pIU/mL: 5.0 (1.7-9.6)] than prepubertal children 〈 7.5 years old [2.9 pIU/ mL (1.3-10.9), p 〈 0.01]. During puberty (from PS II to PS V), insulin was higher in girls than in boys [7.4 (1.8-16.9) versus 5.8 (1.8-12.9), p 〈 0.01]. The HOMA-IR index increased in the group of prepubertal children 〉 7.5 years old: 1.1 (0.32.0) versus children 〈 7.5 years old: 0.6 (0.3-1.4, p 〈 0.01). The insulin level and HOMA-IR results were higher in pubertal children compared to the prepubertal group (p 〈 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Known physiological changes were observed inboth insulin levels and the HOMA-IR index among children and adolescents. A fasting blood insulin level of 10 pIU/mL in prepubertal children and of 17 pIU/mL and 13 pIU/mL in pubertal girls and boys, respectively, may be considered as an acceptable cut-off value in healthy children. A HOMA-IR value 〉 2.0 and 〉 2.6 in prepubertal and pubertal children, respectively, may be considered a warning sign for pediatricians to further investigate insulin resistance.

• Authors: María G Ballerini, Ignacio Bergadá, María E Rodríguez, Ana Keselman, Viviana S Bengolea, Viviana Pipman, Horacio M Domené, Héctor G Jasper, María G Ropelato
• Journal: Archivos argentinos de pediatria (Arch Argent Pediatr) Vol. 114 Issue 4 Pg. 329-36 (Aug 01 2016) ISSN: 1668-3501 [Electronic] Argentina
• Vernacular Title: Concentración de insulina e índices de insulinosensibilidad en niños y adolescentes sanos.
• PMID: 27399010 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría.

Chemical References

• Insulin

Topics

• Adolescent
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Female
• Humans
• Infant
• Insulin (blood)
• Insulin Resistance
• Male
• Reference Values